Workers' comp in Ohio.
In Ohio, workers' comp is bought from the state fund, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC); private carriers don't sell it. Ohio requires workers' comp from the first employee.
- REQUIRED
- From the first employee
- RATING BUREAU
- The state fund
- CLASS CODES
- NCCI codes
Required from the first employee.
The rule
Ohio requires workers' comp from the first employee.
Source: Ohio BWC, For employers, read from an archived copy dated July 8, 2026.
Coverage rules: Ohio BWC, For employers, read from an archived copy dated July 8, 2026.
The state fund rates on NCCI classification codes.
Rating bureau
The state fund, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC), sets classes and rates.
Class system
NCCI classification codes, rated by the fund.
Codes on our pages
Ohio's fund rates on NCCI classification codes; whether each code on our pages applies is not confirmed.
List: Ohio BWC, NCCI classification codes, read from an archived copy dated January 4, 2026; not confirmed for the codes on our pages.
COMMON QUESTIONS
- Do I need workers' comp in Ohio?
- Yes. Ohio requires workers' comp from the first employee.
- How do I get coverage in Ohio?
- From the state fund, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC): private carriers don't sell workers' comp in Ohio. Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC) for employers
- Who sets class codes in Ohio?
- The state fund, Ohio Bureau of Workers' Compensation (BWC). NCCI classification codes, rated by the fund.
SOURCES
- Ohio BWC, For employersWho must carry it, coverage rules, read from an archived copy dated July 8, 2026.
- Ohio BWC, Base rates and experience ratesRating bureau, class system, read from an archived copy dated February 7, 2026.
- Ohio BWC, NCCI classification codesClass codes (not confirmed), read from an archived copy dated January 4, 2026.
Figures as of February 7, 2026.
For planning, not a classification ruling. The state fund sets your class and rate.